UNCERTAIN GERMANIC TRIBES, Pseudo-Imperial coinage. Late 3rd-early 4th centuries. 'Aureus' (Gold, 21 mm, 6.03 g, 1 h), imitating Diocletian, 284-305. IIIRΞSIIEΞIICΞS◗IIE Laureate, draped and cuirassed (?) bust of Diocletian to left. Rev. OIΞΩHOΞOΞIRIRIISIO / \ΛΛΛO Jupiter standing front, head to left, holding Victory presenting wreath in his right hand and scepter in his left; to left and right, two small figures standing left, raising both hands. Holed, otherwise, very fine.


The prototype of the issue is, most likely, an aureus of Diocletian with Jupiter holding Victory on the reverse (Calicó 4482-4487). If this is true, the neat addition of two small figures accompanying the father of the gods on the reverse is probably a reflection of the joint rule of the two Augusti Diocletian and Maximian, of which the Barbarian die cutter may have had vague understanding. For another imitation of the same type, but of finer style and lacking the two figures, see above, lot 820.